6-Day New Jersey Black Bear Hunt To Kick Off Monday, Officials Say

TRENTON, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) — New Jersey’s expanded black bear hunt is scheduled to get started on Monday.

The new six-day hunting season was approved last year by state environmental officials. The first three days are reserved for bow hunting, while hunting with bows and muzzle-loading guns will be allowed during the last three days.

The hunting season will run from Oct. 10 to Oct. 15. Permitted hunters are allotted two bears per permit, with one bear per designated section. For more information, click here.

New Jersey resumed state-regulated bear hunting in 2003 after a ban that lasted more than 30 years. Another hunt was held in 2005, and in 2010 the state instituted an annual hunt.

The firearm-only season for bear hunting this year will take place from Dec. 5-10. Officials have the option to extend the bear hunt if the harvest objectives are not met. New Jersey officials extended the 2015 hunt by four days after not reaching their target number during the regular season.

Officials say 510 bears were killed during the annual bear hunt held last December.